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A class in dressmaking, Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia, 1899. Creator: Frances Benjamin Johnston
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A class in dressmaking, Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia, 1899. Creator: Frances Benjamin Johnston
A class in dressmaking, Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia, 1899
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Media ID 36246387
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
College Desk Domestic Dressmaking Educator Hampton Institute Household Machine Machinery Photographic Prints 1890 1900 Gmgpc Practical Sewing Machine Student Teacher Teaching Training Training College Virginia United States Of America Afro American Fb Johnston Frances B Johnston Frances Benjamin Johnston Frances Johnston Johnston Frances Benjamin
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph, titled "A Class in Dressmaking" at Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia, was captured by renowned American photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston in 1899. The image offers a glimpse into the daily life of the Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School, an institution established in 1868 to provide education and vocational training for formerly enslaved people and their descendants. The photograph depicts a group of young, focused women seated at desks in a brightly lit classroom. Each student is intently engaged in her sewing project, with a dress form or mannequin nearby. In the foreground, a teacher stands at the head of the room, her back to the camera, providing guidance and instruction. The room is filled with the hum of sewing machines, evidence of the practical, hands-on education being offered. The scene is a testament to the importance of domestic skills and trades in the late 19th century, particularly for African American women. The dressmaking class was one of many vocational programs offered at Hampton Institute, which also included carpentry, printing, and agriculture. The students' determination and focus speak to the value of education and the opportunities it provided for personal and economic growth. Frances Benjamin Johnston, a prolific photographer and advocate for historic preservation, captured this image as part of her extensive documentation of American history and culture. The photograph is now held in the Library of Congress, a testament to its historical significance and enduring value.
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